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TIFFIN, Ohio—The Heidelberg University men’s and women’s soccer teams will open their final week of regular season play with Ohio Athletic Conference matches against nationally ranked Ohio Northern University at the ONU Soccer Field in Ada, Ohio. The men’s team faces the Polar Bears on Tuesday, Oct. 25 and the women’s team plays Wednesday, Oct. 26. Both matches are slated for 4 p.m.
The Berg men, 6-9-1 overall and 1-5-1 in the OAC following their first conference victory of the season last Saturday, a 1-0 win over Marietta, are looking to string two wins together for the first time since defeating St. Vincent (Pa.) College on Sept. 11 and Kenyon College on Sept. 16. Against the Pioneers, senior midfielder Jeff Gordon (Grand Rapids, Mich./Northview) scored the game-winner—his first career goal—in the 74th minute off a senior midfielder Michael Juart (Hilliard/Darby) set piece from 45 yards out. In goal, junior two-time All-OAC keeper Ryan Smith (Roanoke, Texas/Keller) made eight saves to record his third shutout of the season.
Freshman midfielder Hamid Sheriff (Centennial) leads the team this season with five points on a team-high two goals and one assist. Freshman midfielder Nicholas Samaniego (Huron) has three points on one goal and one assist. Senior goalkeeper Luke Terndrup (Columbus/Bishop Ready) is expected to make his second career start in goal against ONU. Terndrup, in his first career start last Wednesday against John Carroll University, made five saves in a 2-0 loss.
The ONU men, ranked 15th nationally and second in the Great Lakes Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, enter the match 14-2-2 overall, 6-0-1 in the OAC and riding a six-match win streak following a 2-0 shutout of John Carroll last Saturday. Nathan Bascom leads the team and ranks second in the league in goals (11), assists (six) and points (28). Cameron Johnson has 20 points on eight goals and four assists. In goal, Mac Church has logged all 1,673 minutes this season and has made 67 saves while allowing just 15 goals. His 0.18 goals against average and 10 shutouts lead the conference. ONU has already clinched a first-round bye in the upcoming OAC Tournament.
The two teams last met in the 2010 OAC Tournament finals on Nov. 6, 2010. A 101st minute goal by Christian Huelsman sent the Polar Bears on to the NCAA tournament.
The Berg women improved to 6-9-1 overall and 3-4-0 in the OAC following a 2-1 win over Marietta on Saturday. Against the Pioneers, an 88th minute goal by sophomore midfielder Aleseya Evans (Troy) off a corner kick from senior midfielder Kristen Schneider (Evendale/Mount Notre Dame) gave the Tri-Color its third win in its last five matches. Sophomore midfielder Kelsey Hogan (Cincinnati/Mariemont) also scored a goal. Heidelberg currently sits in a three-way tie with Baldwin-Wallace College and Wilmington College for fifth place in the league standings with a chance to claim either the fifth or sixth seed in the OAC Tournament. Hogan leads the team with 13 points and six goals and has an assist to her credit. Evans is second on the team with eight points on four goals.
In goal, junior Molly Schriber (Sidney) is 4-7-0 in 14 appearances and has made 71 saves while allowing only 18 goals in 947 minutes for a 1.71 goals against average.
The Polar Bear women, ranked 11th nationally and first in the Great Lakes Region, sit atop the OAC standings at 13-1-2 overall and 7-0-0 in the league. ONU has won nine straight matches, including a 2-1 win at JCU on Saturday in its last game. Kristina Klusek leads the OAC with 26 points and 11 goals and has four assists. Sami Atkinson is second on the team with 22 points on nine goals and four assists. Alyssa Merrick leads the conference with 10 assists. In the net, Erin Waehner has started all 16 contests and has made 52 saves and allowed 12 goals in 1,394 minutes while recording seven shutouts.
Following their midweek matches in Ada, both the Heidelberg men’s and women’s soccer teams will close the regular season at Wilmington College on Saturday, Oct. 22.